How to Eliminate Redness Caused by Pimples and Acne

Even the most dedicated followers of a 10-step skincare routine can’t always escape the occasional pimple. If you’re grappling with red and irritated acne blemishes, there are effective strategies to minimize that unwelcome redness through your skincare endeavors.

However, if you’re short on time and need a quick solution, we’ve also got tips for concealing those blemishes until you can bid farewell to the redness for good.

How to reduce redness from Acne

Reducing Redness from Acne The key to diminishing redness from acne lies in the application of anti-inflammatory compounds while maintaining a gentle approach toward your skin. Yes, gentle—avoid the temptation to employ every abrasive scrub or harsh product. Instead, opt for a “keep it simple” approach.

Excessive use of oil-removing products can backfire, prompting your skin to overproduce oil, exacerbating your acne. The goal is to maintain skin cleanliness and employ targeted products to minimize redness while your blemishes heal.

Here are guidelines for reducing redness:

1. Cleansing: Twice daily cleansing (morning and night) with a gentle, fragrance-free, noncomedogenic (non-pore-clogging) cleanser is crucial.
2. Niacinamide: Integrate a product containing niacinamide into your daily regimen. This water-soluble form of vitamin B3 has demonstrated the ability to alleviate acne-related inflammation and redness. Niacinamide is commonly found in serums or creams for topical use.
3. Salicylic Acid: Apply topical salicylic acid to red and irritated blemishes. Salicylic acid is a peeling agent with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties when applied in concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 5 percent.
4. Pimple Patches: Consider pimple patches or stickers for localized redness. These patches, containing ingredients such as salicylic acid, niacinamide, or vitamin C, are designed to reduce the appearance of pimples and promote healing.
5. Ice: Apply a cloth-covered ice pack or ice piece to areas of redness for up to 10 minutes.
6. Hypoallergenic Moisturizer: Use a lightweight, noncomedogenic moisturizer to prevent skin dryness.

For persistent, painful, and inflamed pimples, consulting professionals might be necessary. Dermatologists can offer professional-level treatments like topical applications, chemical peels, or laser therapy. Moreover, if your acne resembles rosacea—a condition characterized by significant skin redness—a dermatologist’s expertise is essential.

A mild cortisone cream can also be applied sparingly to inflamed pimples to alleviate redness and swelling. However, exercise caution and limit this application to spot treatment, as topical steroids can inadvertently trigger acne and other side effects like skin thinning.

Using Makeup to Camouflage Pimple Redness When immediate redness reduction doesn’t materialize despite your best efforts, makeup can come to the rescue. Here’s how to proceed:

1. Thoroughly cleanse your hands before touching your skin.
2. Cleanse and moisturize your skin.
3. Apply base makeup, opting for lighter coverage options like tinted moisturizers or lighter foundation.
4. Choose a thick, putty-like concealer, ideally color-correcting in cases of intense redness.
5. Apply concealer to and around the pimple using a clean makeup brush, blending it well with the surrounding skin.
6. Set the concealer with loose or pressed powder.
7. Multiple concealer layers may be necessary. Wait a few minutes between layers.
8. Clean your makeup brush with gentle cleanser or rubbing alcohol after each use.

Use exclusively oil-free and noncomedogenic products to prevent exacerbating the blemish.

Preventing Acne Consistent skincare is pivotal in minimizing redness, as is adopting an acne prevention routine encompassing the following:

1. Twice-daily cleansing using a gentle cleanser.
2. Application of topical anti-acne agents, such as azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or topical retinoids like adapalene.
3. Natural acne-fighting remedies like tea tree oil or oral barberry extract may also be considered, though research on their efficacy is limited.
4. Light moisturizer application, coupled with morning sunscreen use.

Remember: Avoid squeezing pimples, as this intensifies redness. If the prescribed regimen doesn’t alleviate your acne, consulting a dermatologist is recommended.

The Bottom Line

Acne-induced redness points to underlying skin irritation and inflammation. Hormones often contribute to oil production and subsequent acne development. A consistent skincare routine, coupled with the use of topical agents targeting blemishes, can significantly mitigate redness.

Keeping redness-fighting products and a quality concealer on hand is wise for occasional blemish emergencies. However, if a blemish persists despite homecare efforts, consult a dermatologist for guidance.